Chapter 3

3.

"Your mother texted me today. She asked why I wasn't pregnant yet. Said she wants to take me to see some famous fertility specialist." Claire rested her head on his shoulder. "How about we try tonight?"

Julian's body went rigid.

"Claire, maybe we should consider IVF. I've been researching it. It's safer, more controlled. We can make sure everything is perfect."

A chill spread through Claire's heart. Even though she had expected this response, the reality of it was a cold, brutal wave crashing over her.

He would rather she endure the painful and risky process of IVF than sleep with her.

Sex was supposed to be a normal, intimate act between a husband and wife, a fusion of emotion and love.

But for Julian, it had become something to avoid at all costs.

He would rather she suffer the physical discomfort of the IVF procedures, the psychological stress and torment, than be intimate with her.

"Alright, we'll see," Claire said calmly. "Julian, I'm suddenly craving a pastrami on rye from Katz's Deli. Can you go get one for me?"

After Julian went downstairs, Claire quietly got up and walked to the underground garage.

She went straight to his car. After making sure no one was around, she gently opened the door and, with swift, careful movements, hid a miniature recording device she had prepared inside the vehicle.

Night fell, silent and deep. Julian held Claire tightly as they slept.

After a while, Claire shifted, her movements as gentle as possible, trying not to wake him.

With that subtle movement, she slowly slipped her hand out of his.

Once free, she remained turned away from him, her back to his, eyes closed. But her mind was a whirlwind of thoughts, and sleep was far away.

She didn't know how much time had passed when, in the thick darkness, his phone buzzed, shattering the silence.

In less than a second, he silenced the call, his movements so quick it was as if he was terrified of anyone hearing it.

"Claire..."

He whispered her name, a hint of caution in his voice.

Claire kept her eyes shut tight, not responding. She lay perfectly still, pretending to be deep in sleep.

Seeing no reaction, Julian gently nudged her, his voice apologetic. "Something urgent came up at work. I have to go. I should be back in the morning."

Claire mumbled a sleepy "Mmm," and rolled over, continuing her charade.

Julian leaned in and gave her a soft kiss before quickly getting up, dressing with practiced efficiency, and tiptoeing out of the bedroom.

With the soft click of the door, the bedroom fell back into silence.

But for Claire, sleep was now impossible.

She got up, dressed, and hurried downstairs to call an Uber.

The car pulled up beside her, and the driver asked cheerfully, "Good evening, ma'am. Where to?"

Claire didn't hesitate. "SOHO. The address is..."

It was the shipping address from Julian's Amazon account, the one for Maya Vance.

Sitting in the car, Claire's thoughts were as chaotic and heavy as the city lights blurring past the window.

She took a deep breath, trying to calm herself, and opened Instagram on her phone.

Her finger swiped across the screen, her eyes fixed on the search bar. With a sense of grim determination, she typed in the girl's username: Mayas_Journal.

She had seared the name into her memory the first time she saw it. Now, it was a sharp thorn twisting in her heart.

As the search results loaded, the girl's profile page slowly came into view.

Claire's vision blurred. She couldn't help but remember Julian's behavior lately.